Actuality

IO-Link sensors: a network of the future

IO-Link, what's it all about?

IO-Link is the 1st fully digital standardised communication protocol (IEC61131-9) between sensors/actuators and the monitoring/control system (PLC, supervision, DCS control system).

This bidirectional communication protocol allows dialogue between the master IO-LINK and smart sensors/actuators integrating the standardised IO-LINK interface, but can also be used to dialogue with any conventional digital 24VDC sensor/actuator.

The IO-Link Community currently consists of many leading manufacturers which have already integrated IO-Link intelligence into their components (IFM, BURKERT, ENDRESS HAUSER, KIESELMANN and many others)

The IO-Link communication system offers numerous advantages

A communication system between the master and the sensors/actuators independent of the monitoring/control system.

IO-Link hardware and wiring is the same regardless of the monitoring/control system used.

All actuators/sensors can be tested without a monitoring/control system.

For commissioning and maintenance, reading, configuration, saving of the parameters of all sensors from a single connection point.

Simplified electrical studies.

Simplified wiring which costs less than a conventional solution owing to the use of field modules similar to the sensors/actuators and through connections with cables that no longer require shielding.

Digital feedback of measurements directly as process values (bar, temperature, etc.) and not in 4 - 20ma which is then converted (no loss due to conversion). The measurement is thus displayed the same between the sensor and the monitoring system.

The parameter settings of all the sensors can be saved with a maintenance console or in the master IO-Link or in the PLC.

Automatic reloading of a sensor's parameter settings in the event of replacement.

A sensor's parameter setting can be modified (e.g. sensitivity of a level sensor) in a process phase using a write command from the monitoring/control system (PLC or other).

Diagnostic information of each sensor may be processed by the monitoring/control system (for example, in the event of a cut wire).

This IO-Link communication protocol, which is already in high demand by our customers, will undoubtedly be a mandatory part of the factory of the future.

Pierre Guerin has already implemented 2 installations using this system.